Best WhatsApp Alternatives in 2026
The top WhatsApp alternatives are Signal, Element and Wire: 15 encrypted messaging apps our editors would look at instead of WhatsApp, in our ranking order.
WhatsApp: A free, feature-rich choice for encrypted everyday messaging and calls. Where it falls short: the app is closed source rather than open source.
Switching from WhatsApp? For most encrypted messaging apps buyers the best WhatsApp alternative is Signal, built for most people wanting private messaging. imo offers the most maximum group size (5000 members).
Why People Look for a WhatsApp Alternative
- The app is closed source rather than open source
- Facebook and Instagram integrations may not suit privacy-focused users
- Meta AI features add an optional Meta-connected experience
- Maximum group size: 1024 members — up to 5000 members with imo
- Linked device limit: 4 devices — up to 5 devices with Signal
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSignal9.4
Most people wanting private messaging
Visit Signal - Lowest priceSignal9.4
Paid plans from $1.99/mo
Visit Signal - Best free optionSignal9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Signal - Most maximum group sizeimo7.6
5000 members
Visit imo
All 15 WhatsApp Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forMost people wanting private messaging
- Better than WhatsApp:
- Linked device limit: 5 devices vs 4 devices
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.3
A free, private messaging app with broad calling, sharing, and platform support.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Signal -
Best forTeams needing encrypted, extensible collaboration
Encrypted collaboration with flexible deployment, open source foundations, and broad platform support.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Element -
Best forEnterprise encrypted collaboration
A broad encrypted workspace with free essentials and enterprise administration options.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Wire -
Best forFree social messaging with encrypted chats
A broad free messenger with default encryption for personal chats and calls.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Messenger -
Best forOpen-source messaging with email interoperability
A free, open-source messenger that combines default encryption with email interoperability.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Delta Chat -
Best forPrivacy-focused users avoiding phone numbers
A privacy-focused, open-source messenger that avoids user profile identifiers.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit SimpleX Chat -
Best forLong-established free peer-to-peer calling
A mature free communication app with broad calling features and a focused integration set.
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Jami -
Best forAnonymous encrypted messaging with onion routing
A privacy-focused messenger with broad platform support and a 10 MB attachment limit.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Session -
Best forManaged secure communications for enterprises
A managed secure communications suite for organizations handling sensitive conversations.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Silent Phone -
Best forKeeper users wanting secure private and group chats
A free personal chat app with encrypted messaging and a business add-on for Keeper accounts.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit KeeperChat -
Best forUsers wanting anonymous, polished paid messaging
A polished, anonymous messaging suite with strong privacy features and no free plan.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Threema -
Best forOffline and censorship-resistant messaging
A free, open-source choice for private messaging when centralized servers are a concern.
- Disappearing messages
- Desktop app
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Briar -
Best forAndroid XMPP users needing encrypted calls
A focused Android XMPP client with encrypted calls, groups, files, and account support.
- Voice and video calls
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Conversations -
Best forFree peer-to-peer calls and file sharing
A free open-source choice for encrypted calls, groups, screen sharing, and file transfers.
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Tox -
Best forLarge free groups with basic private chat
- Better than WhatsApp:
- Maximum group size: 5000 members vs 1024 members
A broad-platform free messenger for large groups, with mixed encryption coverage.
- Disappearing messages
- Voice and video calls
- Desktop app
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit imo
WhatsApp Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to WhatsApp?
Signal: #1 in our Encrypted Messaging Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free, private messaging app with broad calling, sharing, and platform support.
Is there a free alternative to WhatsApp?
Yes. Signal, Element, Wire, Messenger and Delta Chat have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to WhatsApp?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Signal starts lowest, at $1.99/mo.
Why do people look for WhatsApp alternatives?
The app is closed source rather than open source; Facebook and Instagram integrations may not suit privacy-focused users; Meta AI features add an optional Meta-connected experience.
Which WhatsApp alternative has the most maximum group size?
imo, with 5000 members.
How do I switch from WhatsApp?
Export your data from WhatsApp (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel WhatsApp.
How to Switch from WhatsApp
- Export your data from WhatsApp (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel WhatsApp.
WhatsApp vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Encryption coverage | Desktop app | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Yes | Free | Default | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 1 | Signal | Yes | $1.99/mo | Default | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Element | Yes | 9.1 | |||
| 3 | Wire | Yes | €7.45/user/mo | 8.9 | ||
| 4 | Messenger | Yes | Free | Default | 8.7 | |
| 5 | Delta Chat | Yes | Free | Default | Yes | 8.6 |
| 6 | SimpleX Chat | Yes | Free | Default | Yes | 8.5 |
| 7 | Jami | Yes | Free | Default | Yes | 8.4 |
| 8 | Session | Yes | $2.99/mo | Mixed | Yes | 8.3 |
| 9 | Silent Phone | 8.2 | ||||
| 10 | KeeperChat | Yes | 8.1 | |||
| 11 | Threema | No | $3/user/mo | Default | Yes | 8.0 |
| 12 | Briar | Yes | Free | Default | Yes | 7.9 |
| 13 | Conversations | Yes | Default | 7.8 | ||
| 14 | Tox | Yes | Free | Default | Yes | 7.7 |
| 15 | imo | Yes | Free | Mixed | Yes | 7.6 |
Head-to-Head
- WhatsApp vs Signal
- WhatsApp vs Element
- WhatsApp vs Wire
- WhatsApp vs Messenger
- WhatsApp vs Delta Chat
- WhatsApp vs SimpleX Chat
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update